James i



April 19 1927:, 1,625,216

.1. LEMKE, JR

SIGN

Filed Sept. 16, 192% I Fl fi- [7209722501 Www Q Patented Apr. 19,

JAMES LED/IKE, 31%., 0F TRDY, NEW

SIGN.

Application filed September Reference may be had to the accompanyingdrawings, and the reference characters marked thereon. which form a partof this specification. Similar characters refer to similar parts in theseveral figures therein.

The principal object of the invention is to facilitate changing fromtime to time the lettering of a sign.

Qther objects will appear in connection with the following description:

Fin". 1 of the drawings is a view in front elevation of a sign embodyingmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view without the clampplates for thecharacter-displaying members P removed.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of one of the clamp-plates detached.

Fig. 4: is a cross-section of the frame taken on the broken line 4t inFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on the broken line 55 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is aview similar to Fig. 1, showing; a broken-away portion of asign embodying my invention in modified form.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive wherein the invention is shown inpreferred form, 1 is a frame having parallel upper and lower members, 1.

The frame is mounted upon a supporting body, 10, by means of screws, 9,inserted through apertures in the frame and in screwengagement with thesupport, 10.

Projecting from the face of each of the frame members, 1, are pins, 2,spaced apartat intervals corresponding to the distance between the signcharacters to be displayed.

The character-displaying members, 3, are preferably made of sheetmaterial, such as sheet metal, cut to display the desired characters inoutline, the characters shown being in the form of letters.

The portion of each character-displaying member, 3, which forms theoutline of a letter is of a height corresponding with the distancebetween the frame members, 1, and each of the character displayingmembers is formed with ears, 4:, projecting from its opposite ends andprovided with apertures, 5, to receive respectively pins, 2, on theupper and lower frame members, 1, as shown in Figs. 2 and 1, wherebyeach character displaying member, 3, is anchored upon the frame, 1.

To maintain the cha actei displaying members, 8, securely anchored uponthe frame, 1, I make the several pins, 2, longer is, was. Serial No.135,777.

of the members 3, and superimposed upon the ears, 4-, clamping.mechams-sm provided with ope11- than the tlllClCl'lQfiFS of the ears, 1

to cover or uncover the ears, 1, of the display members, 8, inengagement with the pins, 2, on the neighboring; frame member, 1 andeacn of the clamp-plates. 6, is formed with similarly elongated slots,8, engageable with the respective screws, 9, whereby the frame securedto the support, 10, and whereby the clamp-plates can be moved to andfrom clamping position when the screws, 9, are merely loosened withoutremoving; the frame, 1, from the support, 10; and said clampplates canbe locked in clamping po sition by setting up or tightening; the screws,9.

The same screw mechanism thus serves to secure the clamp-plates to theframe, 1, and the frame, 1, to its support, 10, while permitting thelettering of the sign to be changed from time to time without removal ofthe frame from its support.

The body portion of each character display member, 3, is preferablymitwardlv displaced to bring its outer surface substantiah ly flush withthe outer surfaces of the respective clampplates, 6. as shown in Fig. 5.

The openings, '4' in the clamp-plates are preferably formed as coves onthe inner side of the respective pa shown.

The support, 10, may he the body or other part of an auton'iohile, or astationary sup port.

The construction shown in Fig. 6, is substantially the same as thatabove described, except that the clamping; members, 6, 6, are shown asparts of a unitary frame, 6", pro vided with slots, '4', to engage thescrews, 9, whereby the frame, 1, is secured to the sup port, 10.

The several slots, '2, have enlarged ends, 7", to permit the free pas;ige therethrough of the heads of the respective screws, 9, in applyingor removing the clamping frame, 6", if desired, as well as permittinglateral or sliding movement of saidclarnping frame to and from clampingposition in changing the lettering of the sign without removal of theframe, 1, from its support, 120.

I do not wish to be limited to the constructions shown and abovedescribed, as, for certain purposes of the invention, various changesmay be made in the form and arrangement of various parts of the devicewithout departing from the spirit of the in- 'vention.

spective frame members,the length of said pins being greater than thethickness of said ears; and clamping members COOPGI'fltHLB with therespective frame members to maintain the a'pertured ears of saidcharacterclisplaying member in engagement with the pins on therespective frame-members, said clamping members being formed withopenings to receive the ends of the respective :pins, and with otheropenings to engage said scre\v-mechanisn'i, all '0'! said openings beingelongated to permit when the screw-mechanism is =loose1'icd lateralmovement oi the clai'npii'ig members to relcame said ears from said pinswithout disconnecting said frame from its support.

A support a frame having spaced apart members; screw mechanism extendingthrougl-i said frame in engagement with said support; pins projectingfrom the face of the respeetlve frame members; "a character displayingmember extending between said frame members and having perforated earsin engagement with pins on the respective frame members, the length ofsaid pins being greater than the thickness of said'ears; and separateclamp plates cooperative with the respective frame members, said platesbeing formed with transverse grooves to receive the ends of therespective pins, and with screwmachanism-engaging slots parallel withsaid grooves, said slots and grooves permitting when the screw mechanismis loosened, lateral movement ofthe respective clamp plates to releasesaid ears from said pins without disconnecting said frame from itssupport.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day ofSeptember, 1926.

JAMES LEMKE, JR.

